Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Bigger and better

Cheer factor Mandira and the dancing brigade have worked magic for the show

The IPL 2009 is underway and it has all the ingredients to cater to all age groups -- Glamour and enchantment for women, sports for die hard cricket buffs and eye candy for the youth. Many households are thankfully spared the tussle for control of re mote during the on-going matches. The IPL is not just about cricket. Of late, it has acquired a thick coat of glamour courtesy the role of divas like Shilpa Shetty and Preity Zinta not to forget the ever-youthful King Khan. Making the show bigger and better, Sony Max has roped in the dynamic trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to add musical magic and based on Max’s popular campaign for the DLF IPL - Ek Desh Ek Junoon - the musical maestros’ powerful composition will be played as an opening montage on every episode of Extraaa Innings T20.

Much of the razzle-dazzle can be attributed to the list of presenters for IPL Season-II which includes Indian Idol-contestant-turned anchor Meiyang Chang, Sameer Kochhar and Gaurav Kapoor (MTV VJ and presenter). Needless to say that the presence of drop-dead gorgeous Mandira Bedi, the co-host for Extraa Innings, along with Bollywood bombshells like Preity, Shilpa and Juhi will only enhance the glamour quotient of the event. Mandira’s association with MAX has played a significant role in attracting, engaging and expanding the audience base for cricket viewing in India. Mandira may not have much knowledge of cricket but man! she’s got oomph and her new pageboy haircut and the toned, fresh and debonair look has youngsters glued to the TV long after the match is over. “She is sure to contribute to the show by capturing not just eyeballs but many a heart of cricket fans,” says Rahul, a collegian.

If half of India is crazy about the new shorter version of the game, the other half is crazy for even shorter versions of the skirts sported by the girls in IPL T20. There is this weird breed of ‘critics’ who can’t wait to drool over the cheerleaders to later label them as ‘vulgar and obscene’. The IPL cheerleader hunt shows were a hoot this season. Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab went hunting for new talent across the country. Youngsters like Amit, a software professional, are delighted over Vijay Mallya’s move of getting the first ever professional Washington Redskins Cheerleader squad. “The fuddy-duddies may complain when in public but I am sure they ogle at them on the small screen,” he chuckles.

The best part of the show is that it enjoys widespread support and viewing. Despite a busy campaign schedule for general elections, Congress’ star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi will take time off to cheer the Kolkata Knight Riders in the second Indian Premier League. “. But the glamour and the interesting tid-bits on the sidelines has the fairer sex too staying glued to the game ,” says Shalini, a young housewife.

What more, to spot a South African beauty with star qualities from among the crowds during the matches, Kind Khan has embarked on a Miss Bollywood SA contest, giving the viewers yet another reason to swarm the match venue. HARJEET KAUR ALLAGH

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail